Kimisis Journal Vol 1 Issue 1 Summer 2015

Kimisis Journal Î Summer 2015 Î Volume 1, Issue 1 1

My Beloved Kimisis Tis Theotokou Family,

It is with much joy that I greet all of you as we come to a close of this Ecclesiastical Year and prepare to enjoy the summer season. As I am composing this message while vacationing in Greece, I intend to be brief.

I would like to thank all of our Ministry and Organization Leaders and Coordinators for a most successful year. I especially thank the parents who consistently brought their children to Church Services and to our Youth educational and social ministries, so that they may continue to grow in the Faith while forming lasting bonds of friendship with their friends. I look forward to another successful year starting in September. Please remember that you may pre-register your children for Sunday School, Greek School, GOYA, JOY/HOPE, etc. online via our Kimisis website.

A few short weeks ago our Kimisis Community had its most successful Bayshore Greek Fest to date. We worked very hard for many hours as we came together as a community and family in a spirit of camaraderie that was unrivaled, with a common purpose and vision. Furthermore, we shared our Hellenic pride, culture, food, dance, and Orthodox Faith with our neighbors and friends, who I am confident were most impressed. In short, by the grace of God, all of us experienced a most phenomenally joyful and productive Festival that truly showcased the BEST of Kimisis.

An extraordinary amount of effort and time over this past year was invested by our Executive Festival Committee in order to ensure the great success of this historical Festival, whom I thank from the bottom of my heart. New ideas and a new layout were introduced that proved to be most invigorating and refreshing. A record number of volunteers came forward to be a part of this year’s premier cultural event and I thank all of you for helping and putting in countless hours before, during, and after the Festival. I can’t wait to see what new ideas next year’s Festival will bring!

Finally, I pray that all of you have a most relaxed and enjoyable summer with your families and friends and that all of you return safely to the bosom of Kimisis in September!

With Love in Christ,

Fr. George Nikas

Pastor

Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church

Journal

Holmdel New Jersey 732-739-1515 www.kimisis.com Summer 2015Î Volume1Î Issue 1

Fr. George Nikas

An Expression of Gratitude

Kimisis

Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church Holmdel, New Jersey 2

KIMISIS TIS THEOTOKOU ORGANIZATIONS Organization Contact Name Email

AHEPA Demetri Orfanitopoulos [email protected]

Altar Boys Jeremy Milonas [email protected]

Art Program Susan Englisis [email protected]

Ballroom Dancing Sophie Idromenos [email protected]

Basketball - Men's Peter Kollydas [email protected]

Bible Study Roula Merianos-Adult Salomi Charlambous Horvath-Youth

[email protected] [email protected]

Boys Scouts /Cub Scouts Jim Marinos/Nick Englisis [email protected]

Building Expansion Committee Steve Bontales [email protected]

Choir Marie Devino [email protected]

Church Office Zaharoula Marmatakis [email protected]

Coffee Hour Harriet & Fred Callis [email protected]

Community Center Matt Bistrimovich [email protected]

Dancing Greek - Youth Aphrodite Bucco [email protected]

Festival Committee [email protected]

Girl Scouts Cheryl Bontales [email protected]

G.O.Y.A. Youth Advisors [email protected]

Greek School Amalia Vapheas [email protected]

Greek School P.T.O. Katherine Gilbride [email protected]

Interior Church Committee Costa Phillipou [email protected]

J.O.Y/H.O.P.E Youth Group Bessie Loukopoulos [email protected]

Kimisis Journal (Quarterly Newsletter)

Cleo Bartos [email protected]

Ladies Philoptochos Society Mary Loizou [email protected]

Parish Council Tom Protentis [email protected]

Priest V. Rev. Archimandrite George Nikas [email protected]

Security & Maintenance Paul Callamaras [email protected]

Stewardship-Membership Mark Horvath [email protected]

Sunday School Directors Joyce Magriples Nausica Orthodoxou Nikie Sourlis Anna Zamora

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Sunday Bulletin Amalia Vapheas [email protected]

Website Helen Antholis Demetri Orfanitopoulos


Welcome Committee Margaria Actipis Bowden-Philoptochos [email protected]

YAL Melina Magriples Tina Hiras


mailto:[email protected]































V. REV. ARCHIMANDRITE GEORGE NIKAS, PASTOR

PRESIDENT:

TOM PROTENTIS

FIRST VP:

ROBERT BUCCO

SECOND VP:

JAMES MARINOS

TREASURER:

BILL BUCCO

ASST. TREASURER:

ROSANNA PANAGAKOS

SECRETARY:

ARGYRIOS MILONAS

2015 Parish Council of Kimisis Tis Theotokou

Dear Stewards of Kimisis,

Welcome back to the new Quarterly Kimisis Journal (formerly the Kimisis Close-Up, monthly newsletter). I know many of you were upset to see it go but now it’s back in its new form.

We are now well into the summer of 2015. We have had a blessed Pascal season and, thanks to Fr. George, the long hours and hard work of our six festival co-chairs, Steve Bontales, Bob Bucco, Fay Makrinos, Demetri Orfanitopoulos, Rosanna Panagakos, Greg Ploussas and all of our numerous volunteers, we have had our best and most financially successful Festival. Again, thank you to all who were involved. None of this would have been possible without all of you.

On August 14th and 15th we will celebrate our beloved church’s name day. The church’s name day is a large undertaking and we will need help in making this a memorable event. As a result, I am reaching out to all of you to ask if anyone would like to help. That can be helping set up, baking Lenten desserts, serving food, etc. No one who would like to help will be turned away.

On September 27th, our Metropolis will celebrate Holy Cross Day in Asbury Park. Please try to attend as we will have four of our Goyans diving for the cross. It would be great to have a large contingent to cheer our young men and young women on.

We are also looking into having a Kimisis family picnic on September 13, 2015. Burgers, hot dogs, games and family fun. I will let you know more once we have finalized our plans.

Lastly, we have decided on a date for the 40th anniversary celebration of our parish. It will be on October 22, 2016. We have set up a number of committees to help pull together this gala event. These committees are Entertainment, Promotions, Reservations, Decoration and Ad Journal. Again, if anyone would like to help out on any of these committees please let me or any of the members of the Parish Council know.

As I mentioned earlier we are now enjoying our summer but, please do not forgot that stewardship is very important to the church being able to operate so if you have made a pledge, please continue to send in your contributions and if you have not yet submitted a stewardship form please consider doing so now.

Sincerely,

Tom Protentis

Parish Council President

Looking forward to seeing you all again when the 2015-2016 ecclesiastical year begins.


Throughout the centuries, our Church has been blessed with many examples of individuals who would hear the calling from our Lord to 'Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me..’ (Matthew 19:21) The Church calls such people monks and nuns, many of whom became saints of our Church. Monasticism is the one lung of the Church, and we the lay people, along with the priests and the church hierarchy comprise the second lung. For those of us who live in the world and want to live according to God's will, we become members of our local parish; we work to support the financial needs of our families and our local parish which nourishes our spiritual and social needs. Our local church is the center of our lives as we raise our families. The priest is our spiritual father, our confidant, our "go to" when we don't know who else to turn to when we experience parental issues, when our children face problems such as bullying, low self-esteem, teen rebellion, sibling rivalry, name it. When a family member is sick, we turn to the church for emotional and spiritual support. Of course the Church celebrates with us during our lives' happy Sacramental events of Baptism, Chrismation, Holy Communion, Marriage, and during the sad events of sickness (Holy Unction), death, burial, and memorial services. Imagine if the church depended on just such events for donations to keep its doors open! We look to

the church to have ministries to keep our children on the right path through religious education, youth programs such as JOY and GOYA and boy/girl scout programs. Having raised my two sons through such programs who are now in their late 20's, I thank God every day that the Church made it possible to keep my sons out of trouble, and provided a safe haven with youth coming from similar backgrounds. Not just my sons, but all the parish children grew up to be young adults of whom I'm very proud. They are now young professionals, some of them already married and starting their own families and I see them following in our footsteps as contributing members to their own parishes. I do not know what price to put on this safe haven in which we raised our children. All I can say is "Thank God," that we are blessed to have our Church which provides so much. I grew up in another state and the Church provided for all my needs growing up, and our beloved Kimisis Tis Theotokou has provided for the needs of my family and yours. It doesn't matter where we live, but it does matter that we continue to support the local parish in which God has placed us, for by this, we make sure that the current and our future generations of Orthodox Christians' needs will be met. A record number of people have answered the call to support our Parish annual Festival and as a result we may have had the most successful Festival on record, but unfortunately, it is not enough to

meet our annual financial requirements. Many of you have also already answered the call and have completed your stewardship commitment form and are making contributions. However, some have either not completed a commitment form, or are not making contributions. You may be tired of hearing the call to support the stewardship program. Unfortunately, without the continuing support of each and every one of us, our beloved Kimisis Tis Theotokou will struggle to support its ministries. It takes $1300 a day to keep the Church doors open. Each person's/family's commitment and contributions are needed to keep our church doors open. Growing up, I remember my mom saying quite often "Ola einai danika," "everything we have is on loan to us." If everything is on loan to us, are we making investments in the right areas for maximum return not just in this life, but also for our eternal life? Please search your hearts and let God guide you to contribute to the stewardship program what you can afford.

STEWARDSHIP

An appeal to all from Salomi

Charalambous, Parish Council member and Stewardship committee member.


Shop for Books, Icons, Videos, DVD, & CD’s Related to our Faith

and Culture.

The bookstore features a book exchange program for gently used

religious books, icons and other religious items. Also offered will be

a weekly story time for small children, featuring the “children’s book

of the week” while parents are enjoying coffee hour.

All proceeds will benefit Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church. Open every Sunday during coffee/

fellowship hour.

Kimisis Church Bookstore & Gift Shop

BOOKSTORE

BOOK SELECTIONS The Orthodox Church

Eastern Orthodox Theology Becoming Orthodox

The Icons of Their Bodies: Saints and Their Images in

Byzantium Basic Greek in 30 Minutes a day

Pinsleur Comprehensive Program in Greek

Berlitz Greek

VIDEO SELECTIONS Great Cities of the Ancient World:

Athens & Ancient Greece Greece: Athens and the Peloponnese,

Greek Islands &

Ancient Greece Frugal Gourmet- Foods from Greece

MUSIC SELECTIONS Music of the Greek Orthodox Church

Greek Folk Dances Today Greek Folk Song

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140146563/kimisististheoto
















http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000003YIP/kimisististheoto

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000100P/kimisististheoto

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000003YHJ/kimisististheoto


AHEPA Garden State Chapter 517 had another great year! Here are some of the highlights:

We once again sponsored the entry fee and transportation so the Kimisis Greek School , Sunday School and GOYA could attend the Annual Greek Independence Day Parade in NYC

Along with the Ladies Philoptochos, sponsored this year’s festival aprons

Funded the intercom system for the new Church office

Hosted dinner for the children (and their families) staying at Ronald McDonald House in NYC

Visited the Wounded Warriors Project office in NYC to tour their facility and personally present this year's donation

Made donations to these worthy organizations: Food Bank Of Monmouth and Ocean Counties; St. Basil Academy ; The Ahepa 5th District Cancer Research Foundation, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Run for Life; and Ronald McDonald House

Awarded scholarships to two Kimisis graduating High School Seniors

Held our first Annual Harvest Beer tasting

Held our 16th annual Super Bowl party

Held our 4th Annual Cigar Night

Awarded AHEPAN of the Year Honors to Demetri Orfanitopoulos

Elected a new executive board: President: Demetri Orfanitopoulos; VP: Steve Bontales; Secretary: Bob Fourniadis; Treasurer: John Kalafatides.

Welcomed 6 new members: Tom Asimopoulos, Chris Churney, Nickitas Diakides, Lucas Loucopoulos, Dr. Michael Simon, Michael Simon

AHEPA 5th District awarded Chapter of the Year Honors to our Chapter (3rd time in our history, 2nd time in 3 years) and President of the Year Honors to our outgoing president, Bob Fourniadis.

WHO IS AHEPA?

American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (www.ahepa.org) was founded on July 26, 1922 to in response to the bigotry spearheaded by the KKK in early 20th Century America. It subsequently joined forces with the NAACP and B’nai B’rith to combat discrimination and racism and eventually emerged as a major philanthropic organization in the U.S.

WHAT DOES AHEPA DO?

The mission of AHEPA is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence through community service and volunteerism. With chapters in every major metropolitan area, AHEPA has contributed generously to national and regional projects and causes throughout its history.

HOW DO WE DO IT?

Everything that AHEPA accomplishes starts at the grass roots level through fundraising activities held by the local chapters . Our Chapter’s fundraisers are: (1) ANNUAL HARVEST BEER TASTING (this year: October 17, 2015); (2) ANNUAL SUPER BOWL PARTY & (3) ANNUAL CIGAR NIGHT.

WE ARE A VIBRANT AND ENERGETIC CHAPTER THAT DOES A GREAT DEAL OF GOOD COUPLED WITH FELLOWSHIP AND COMRADERY. PLEASE COME JOIN US!!!

Visit our website for more information on our events or how to join our chapter: www.ahepa517.com

AHEPA 517 Garden State Holmdel AHEPA

President: Demetri Orfanitopoulos VP: Steve Bontales Treasurer: John Kalafatides Secretary: Robert Fourniadis

Chapter of the Year award (2013) presented by Stanley Gerondolis

District Governor


THE KALI PAREA,

FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE PRIME TIMERS, IS A GROUP

OF KIMISIS STEWARDS WHO GATHER FOR DAYTIME

SOCIAL AND FELLOWSHIP ACTIVITIES.

Please view our Bulletin Board for our news and upcoming

events. The Board is located in the hallway opposite the All

Purpose Room in the Administration Building.

Meetings: First Thursday of the month (except May-August) 11:30 am – All-Purpose Room, Administration Building

Join our Group for fellowship and outings.

See more at: Kimisis.com/Kali Parea

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

HELEN CERTA

FRAN HALIOTIS

AGATHA PAPADOULIS

Kali Parea

Father George and Fran Haliotis, Secretary (2009-2013)

Christmas Party 2014

Connie Mellas receives a plaque for her four years as President 2009-2013

[L to R: Paul Callamaras, Helen Antholis, Connie Mellas, Father George]


In addition to the intrinsic benefits that art offers, art has the ability to influence and shape a child’s development on a number of levels—academically, socially & emotionally. Involvement in art allows children to express themselves—tapping into their inventiveness and creativity—and is a fun outlet that helps positively stimulate and motivate students.

Art has the remarkable ability to positively affect a child in his or her entirety—influencing his or her developmental, behavioral, social and intellectual capacities.

The role that our KAP afterschool program plays in offering a broad exposure to the variety of existing art forms can help excite children about school, engage them in academic subjects, improve their focus and spark their creativity. The absence of art from a student’s life is a lost opportunity to inspire change and individual growth.

It is our pleasure and honor to be able to instruct your children in the classic method

of drawing and painting. We hope to integrate a fun-filled approach to learning creative arts. There is an artist in all of us just waiting to bloom!

Susan J. Englisis – contact

[email protected]

Susan Englisis KAP Program Director

Kimisis Art Program

Since its inception in 2003, more than 200 students have participated in KAP. Despite some skepticism, over the past 13 years the program has been remarkably successful!

This year’s curriculum was packed with a wealth of traditional and non-traditional, but incredibly immersive learning activities. From inspiring art history and museums visits to hands on active skill study, the students are learning to be innovative and creative.

Some of this year’s projects included painting, assemblage art, platemaking and more. All of the art was displayed gallery style at our annual May art show.

Several of our art students placed at Sights and Sounds this year, so congrats to them and to all who participated.

Alumni students, Daphne Bistrimovich and Melina Magriples showed off their talents by volunteering their time to paint all of the signs for the festival game booths as well as the backdrop art for the basketball hoop game. Great to see our youth giving their “Time & Talent”!

There is no doubt that a primary role of museums is to engage and educate the community. This year’s museum trip was to the Montclair Art Museum and the students were thrilled to see up-close what they learned all year long. Some of our Prime-Timers joined us and it was so heartwarming to see our youth and seniors making personal connections.

We are looking forward to a great new year come September. Art is the link between our history and our forthcoming, so let’s just say we are investing in artists who shape the future!

Students learn about Greek Pottery Design

Kimisis Art Program and its Objectives

http://saulcarliner.home.att.net/museums/inspirearticle.htm


greek school graduation 2015

Greek School ended yet another great year! Our Director, Amalia Vapheas led the children through some memorable performances, combining a presentation of historical and cultural aspects of our heritage. The Gym was filled with family, friends and members of the community who came to support the children and left with a tremendous feeling of national pride. There were 4 graduates this year, Demetra Kalambakos, Andreas Thanos, Evagelia Thanos, and Christos Thanos. In June, they also passed the Comprehensive Examination in Modern Greek. We are very proud and wish them all the best! With the help of many great Moms, this year, the PTO was very successful and provided many new things for the children. The finale was a trip to Air Trampoline, where the children had a great time! Please register your children for the new school year 2015-2016. Visit our Kimisis Tis Theotokou Website, where you'll find details on how to register. If you have any questions, please contact Amalia Vapheas by email ([email protected]).



SCOUT LAW-

A SCOUT IS:

TRUSTWORTHY

LOYAL

HELPFUL

FRIENDLY

COURTEOUS

KIND

OBEDIENT

CHEERFUL

THRIFTY

BRAVE

CLEAN

REVERENT

On my honor I will do my best : To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. Scout Oath~

Holmdel Troop 531 Boy Scouts

Scout Leaders: Jim Marinos, Nick Englisis, Matt Bistrimovich with Fr. George


Troop 337 Girl Scouts gathered at their spring

Court of Awards ceremony.

Anna, Sophia, Margaret, Gina, Demi, Carla, Jean, Christina, Christianna,

Viki, and Mia.

Troop 337 Girl Scout Leaders: Evangelitsa

Dounis, Angie Belitsis, Maryellen Cestone, Katherine Gilbride,

Julie Simon and Cheryl Bontales


Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church is proud to sponsor Girl Scouting and our troop is grateful to call Kimisis our home. As we begin our 21st year, we wish to express our gratitude to Fr. George, the Parish Council and the Kimisis community for their ongoing support of our program.

Troop 337 Serving the Community – The troop has volunteered in the St. Mark’s Soup Kitchen, Camp Kateri Environmental Center, marched in the Greek Independence Day Parade, visited Nursing Homes, hospitals and orphanages, and prepared food for the families living at Ronald McDonald House. They have conducted multi-level badge workshops, hosted Girl Scout Sunday, lock-ins and sports clinics. They have interviewed our founders, created a cookbook, provided for food pantries and the Food Bank, collected baby supplies for mothers in need and assisted with the clean-up of Hurricane Sandy. Gold Award projects at our church include the creation of the Meditation Garden, the Kimisis Religious Book Store, and refurbishing the Community Center Kitchen. In December, the troop featured the second annual “Angel Wish Tree,” where parishioners are able to shop for a child who otherwise may not open a Christmas present. With the support and generosity of our community we provided, wrapped and delivered Christmas presents to children in need in our surrounding communities. In March we conducted our Girl Scout Cookie booth sales which helped send all our Girl Scouts to camp in May. Scout Sunday was celebrated in church along with Kimisis Boy Scout Troop 531. Fr. George presented the St. George Religious Recognition award to Mia Belitsis and Anna Dounis and the Chi-Rho Award to Viki Belitsis and Margaret Dounis for completing their course of study. A highlight of our year was visiting Fr. George Dounelis for a “Lenten Learn” evening at the Victoria House. We enjoyed a Lenten buffet and discussed bible stories, parables, guidelines for fasting and the lives of our patron saints.

Camping – The Troop went to Camp Sacajawea in May and enjoyed the campgrounds and outdoor life while completing their level badges. The Girls enjoyed cooking, baking, boating events on Brindle Lake, trail hikes and songs around the campfire. The time together allowed for field games like capture the flag, which boosts comradery and teamwork.

Bridging and Awards – All 1st, 3rd, 5th, 8th, and 10th graders “flew up” to the next level of scouting during our Bridging and Court of Awards at the Kimisis Community Center. Sophia Memtsoudis bridged from Brownie to Junior Girl Scout. Jean Gilbride, Sophia Karakoglou and Christianna Simon bridged from Junior Girl Scouts to Cadettes. Alexia Garidas, Gina Sannino, Demi Kalambakas and Noni Theocharides bridged from Cadette to Senior Girl Scouts. Troop 337 graduate Lana Kandalaft was awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award by the Girl Scouts of USA during a Jersey Shore Council ceremony on June 3rd for her Leadership project of refurbishing the Community Center kitchen. Statistically, less than 10% of eligible Girl Scouts nationwide complete the Gold Award. We are very proud of Lana for her perseverance as she joins a very elite group and becomes the 14th Scout from our troop to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award.

2015/2016 REGISTRATION AND CALENDAR

OF EVENTS

Plans for the 2015-2016 school year begins with registration. We invite all girls 5-18 years of age to join Girl Scouting at Kimisis. We offer a value based program under the auspices of the EOCS and the Girl Scouts of the USA, where the girls have fun and learn skills to become competent and confident adults. Our meetings are held on Friday from 6:00-8:00pm in the Community Center. Fall events include attending the 55th Annual EOCS retreat at St. Basil Academy October 10-11, rock climbing, roller Skating, continuing our charitable outreach work and a baking workshop.

Adult volunteers are welcom e and all training is free and conducted at the church hall. All of our Leaders are trained and have been awarded the GSUSA Outstanding Leader Award for excellence. For more information, visit www.girlscoutsjs.org or contact Cheryl Bontales at [email protected], or visit our registration table in the community center after church on September 27.

Holmdel Troop 337 Girl Scouts

“Over 200 Girl Scouts have passed through our troop with the majority of them completing 13 years of scouting. 75 Religious Recognition awards

have been earned, 8 Girl Scout Bronze Awards, 16 Girl Scout Silver Awards and 14 Girl Scout Gold Awards. What an amazing achievement

for our girls and leaders!”

Leaders: Angie Belitsis, Cheryl Bontales, Mary Ellen Cestone, Evangelitsa Dounis, Katherine Gilbride, Julie Simon

http://www.girlscoutsjs.org



It was another fun-filled weekend at our 38th Annual Bayshore Greek Fest! Starting on June 4th through June 7th, the church grounds transformed to a place with rides, games, delicious Greek treats, and local vendors selling beautiful jewelry, clothing, and art, among other things. Transforming our indoor space this year, the Community Center was buzzing with Cooking Demonstrations and happy customers partaking in traditional Greek food like lamb shank, pastichio, moussaka, and stuffed peppers.

Dancers of all ages took the stage each night to entertain festival goers and many participated in dancing themselves to the music of The Trojans on Friday and Saturday nights and Pegasus DJ on Sunday. The competitive spirit of young men and women came to light in this year's first Zeibekiko Contest where the best dancer claimed a gift certificate and bragging rights until next year's competition!

This was a Festival of many firsts, from our Souvlaki/Gyro lunch on Friday, to our Hospitality Suite, to Cooking Demonstrations in the Taverna, to indoor & outdoor vendors, including our own Bookstore & Greek Store, to after-parties for the volunteers to having the Coffee/Tea and Loukoumades booths open on Thursday, just to name a few!

Change can often be an absolute challenge, however, this community accepted the challenge and rose to the occasion! Through your commitment, we have grossed $205,000 - making this the most financially successful Festival in our history! Although this stands as an exciting milestone for our community, we had quite a few necessary and important capital-improvement expenses this year.

We are proud to announce that our total net was over $131,000!!! Congratulations Kimisis!

The Festival Executive Committee would like to take this opportunity to give our heartfelt appreciation to the support, dedication, and fellowship of our incredible community!!

We thank those of you that were involved with the ongoing preparations, donations, and sponsorships that helped shape our Festival. To the restaurants that donated food items to cut our costs, to those parishioners that stepped in to fill less coveted roles that are often the most vital and necessary to the festival; and to the most wonderful and selfless VOLUNTEERS that gave their time starting early in the week with setting up, receiving deliveries, that continued over the weekend, breaking down on Sunday and seeped into the continued cleaning on Monday.

Our financial success as a community is great and it is what keeps Kimisis alive and thriving, but this community has gained much more than something financial; we have grown and strengthened as a family, we have fostered new friendships with booth mates we did not know before, we have shared our culture and faith with visitors, and as we approach the 40th Anniversary of Kimisis, we have created lifelong memories with the wonderful people.

THANK YOU for your time and many efforts! Here is to our continuing success and hope that this experience will serve as a constant reminder of the wonderful things we can accomplish as a unified and collaborative group, that believes in the mission of our Kimisis Tis Theotokou community.

The Festival Committee would like to thank Father Nikas for the orchestration of this dynamic group. Your enthusiasm and encouragement sustained us through this transition year as we created a successful and memorable festival for our community!


2015-2017 Board PRESIDENT:

MARY LOIZOU

1ST VICE PRESIDENT: DINA MELLAS

2ND VICE PRESIDENT:

CHERYL BONTALES

TREASURER: HARRIET CALLIS

ASST. TREASURER: JOANNA KOTSIS

RECORDING SECRETARY: JOYCE COCCARO

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY:

MARIE DEVINO

TRUSTEES: LUCY MILONAS, STEPHANIE

COUNTOUROUDAS

No one is too young or too old to be a part of this special group of women. The Ladies Philoptochos Society is an army of women whose collective drive, dedication, and heart help those who need it most. PHILOPTOCHOS IS YOU! We are always looking for new members and welcome new skills, experiences, ideas, and personalities. Be a part of a philanthropic movement. Join today and make new friends, share experiences, knowledge, and laughter. We meet on the third Thursday of every month at 7:30 pm.

Kimisis Tis Theotokou BAHA Chapter Mary Loizou, President

Ladies’ Philoptochos Society

As our hectic year is winding down, on behalf of the Ladies Philoptochos, I would like to wish everybody a very safe, relaxing, and enjoyable summer.

The mission of Philoptochos is to promote charitable benevolent and philanthropic purposes, give aid to the poor, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphans, etc.

During this past year, the Ladies Philoptochos has been involved in various activities. Members visited the ill/homebound and Senior Homes. Our Social Service committee has helped several families in need, by either helping with funeral costs, paying doctor bills, household bills, rent, etc.

One of our on-going projects is collecting food for our Food Pantry. In conjunction with our Girl Scouts, we collected canned goods for the Food Banks in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Another on-going project is Ronald McDonald. This year members participated in a walk-a-thon in New York City. We raised $500.

We had two very successful “Family Game Nights” (BINGO), a Pampered Chef demonstration, and a bake sale. Proceeds from these events went to the St. Nicholas Shrine at Ground Zero (over $1,700).

Once again, have a GREAT SUMMER, and please join us on October 4th for our first meeting of the 2015-2016 year.


Under the spiritual guidance of Fr. George, the group is

comprised of zealous Christians who are spiritually

thirsty for a deeper understanding of what God expects from us.

Youth Bible Study

Kimisis will be sponsoring a

Youth Bible Discussion and Guidance program for children taught by Roula

Merianos with Guidance from Father George.

Roula Merianos has been

teaching religion for 20 years, served as Sunday school

director, and has lectured orthodoxy to the Senior

Activity Center of Monmouth County. Roula also has been

invited to address Goya members on contemporary moral issues and regularly

attends theological seminars.

For more information contact

Roula Merianos,([email protected])

Or the church office 732 739-

1515.

Adult Bible Study and Youth Bible Study Bible Study

If your life seems routine and mundane, then contact us for our schedule of discussions in

the spirit of enlightenment and fellowship.

You will be warmly

welcomed.

Looking to make an impact,

pay it forward! Volunteer on Sunday mornings,

and it will change your life forever.

Join the Sunday School team and help teach our First Grade.

Please contact: Nikie Sourlis at 908-610-4052 or

or Father George at 732-739-1515


Our beloved Father George H. Dounelis was born on July 31, 1947 to the proud parents of Harry J. Dounelis and Rita Efthmion in Mineola, New York. After graduating from Lutheran High School in Brookville, NY, he attended Franklin Pierce College in Rindge, New Hampshire. Continuing on to Hellenic College in Brookline, MA, he earned a BA in Liberal Arts. In 1973, he attended the Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline and received a Master of Divinity degree.

On June 10, 1973, Father George married the love of his life, Kathryn, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phuros, at St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church in Hempstead, NY. Also in 1973, he became Director of Youth at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Worcester, MA. In July 1973, he was ordained to the Holy Diaconate at the Ionian Village in Greece under the direction of His Grace Bishop Theodosius, Diocese of Pittsburgh, and was later assigned to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Flushing, NY as an assistant Pastor. In September, he was ordained into the Holy Priesthood in Flushing, NY by His Grace Bishop Philotheos of Meloa of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. From 1974-1975, Father George, appointed by Archbishop Iakovos, served as National Chairman of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for the formulation of the religious award “Chi Rho Award for Scouting”.

Father George’s first Parish, as Pastor, was Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Madison, WI. In 1977, he continued his education at the Methodist Hospital and received a certificate of Hospital Chaplaincy. The

following year he majored in Death and Dying at the University of Wisconsin where he received his certificate. During this time, he and Kathryn started their family and were blessed with the birth of their daughter Gina Michelle on 7/28/79.

In April 1980, we were blessed with Father George’s assignment to our beloved Kimisis Tis Theotokou in Holmdel, NJ. He and Kathryn settled into their life in Aberdeen where they were blessed with the birth of Athas George on 8/5/84. From 1980-1990, Father George was President of the Bayshore Ministerium of Priests, Ministers, and Rabbis. Since 1990, he served as its Treasurer. From 1980-1995, Father George was President of the Central NJ Pan Orthodox Clergy Association.

For 33 years, Father George dedicated his life to our Community, leading services in Ground-breaking, Door-opening (Thyranoixia) and the Consecration. From building plans (Church, Administration Hall, and Community Center) to interior plans (Pews, Iconography, Iconostasion), Father George was involved in all aspects of the growth of our community and, as its priest, spiritually performed Marriages, Baby Blessings, Baptisms, Chrismations, Funerals, and Memorials. An integral part of Festivals for these years, Father was instrumental in encouraging the community to support our efforts.

Father George opened his heart to us all without question or hesitation. As our spiritual leader, he loved us, guided us, and supported us in many ways. We thank him and honor him for his endless devotion. Father George fell asleep in the Lord on June 28, 2015. May his memory be eternal.

In tribute to our beloved Father George H. Dounelis, you may make a donation to the memorial fund that will remember Father Dounelis with special altar gifts. Please contact the church office for more information.


NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

PAID RED BANK, NJ

PERMIT NO. 513

Kimisis Tis Theotokou 20Hillcrest Road

Holmdel, NJ 07733

Presiding Priest: Archimandrite George Nikas

[email protected]

Office Hours: M-F 10 am — 3 pm

Phone: 732-739-1515 Fax: 732-739-1172

E-mail: [email protected]

Web site: www.kimisis.com

THE JOURNAL: VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 Published quarterly

Advertising: 732-739-1515

Schedule of Services Summer Hours [6/15-8/30]:

Orthros: 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30 am

September — May Hours Orthros: 9:00 am

Divine Liturgy: 10 am

Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church

Holmdel New Jersey 732-739-1515 www.kimisis.com

Kimisis Journal Vol 1 Issue 1 Summer 2015

Documents

Transcript of Kimisis Journal Vol 1 Issue 1 Summer 2015